Romania: authorities kill 187 dogs in 2 days in Romanian capital, in line with new law

BUCHAREST, Romania – Officials say 187 street dogs have been killed in the Romanian capital under a new law prompted by the death of a 4-year-old boy attacked by roaming canines in August.

The law says dogs kept in a shelter more than 14 days without being adopted or sponsored should be killed. While some 45 dogs were adopted last week, a thousand could be euthanized, said Razvan Bancescu, a spokesman for the Authority for the Supervision and Protection of Animals.

He said the euthanized dogs had been in shelters for more than 100 days. Previously only sick dogs were euthanized.

It's estimated that 64,000 dogs are roaming the city's streets.

Some 250 people were bitten by dogs in January, down from 475 in September, the month before the law was passed.